Toy top



July 30, 1946. R. P. CCJRDQN TOY TOP Filed May 20, 1%;

' INVENTOR.

W R Coral: B

ATTORNEY Patented July 30, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a toy top.

More particularly, the invention proposes an improved toy top which is made from two parts, one a dome shaped-like top portion having a projecting axial pin, and the other a cylindrical hand piece for rotatively supporting said top and having an axial opening through which said pin passes. A string for spinning the top passes through an opening in the side of the hand piece and is attached to and wound around said pin.

It is proposed to construct said parts of the top of a very simple design so that the top may be cheaply manufactured. It may be constructed of wood, either hard or soft, since the parts are adapted for spinning. The top could also be constructed of plastic composition, or other materials.

The invention contemplates a modified form characterized by an arrangement whereby the dome-shaped top may be caused to bob up and down on the hand piece durin its spinning operation.

Another object of the invention is the construction of an article as mentioned which is simple and durable and which may be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure- Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a top constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional View taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 i a side elevational view similar to Fig. l but illustrating a modified form.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 66 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a, perspective view of the top portion of the top shown in Fig. 5.

The toy top, in accordance with this invention, includes a dome-shaped top I0 having an axial pin I I projecting from its bottom. A cylindrical hand piece I2 is provided for rotatively supporting said top I 0 and is formed with an axial opening I3 through which said pin II passes. A string I 4 for spinning the top I0 passes through an opening I5 in the side of the hand piece I2 and is attached to and wound around the pin I I. The top III, the hand piece I2, and the pin I I may all be constructed of wood. The hand piece I2 is shown formed externally with a series of steps I6, I'I, I8, etc., which are for decorative purposes. The hand piece I2 is formed with a recess I9 formed inwards from its top end providing a space 26 for the string I4 when it is wound around the pin II. A small boss 2I is formed upon the bottom face of the top I0 and engages the top face of the hand piece I2 for reducing the friction between these parts while the top is spinning. The outer end of the string I4 i provided with a small ring 22.

The operation of the top is as follows:

First the string I4 is wound around the pin I I. Then the hand piece I2 is held in one hand while the string I4 is pulled to spin the top II] in one direction. When the string I4 is fully extended it is released so that the spinning top rewinds the string on the pin I I, but in opposite direction. When fully rewound the string may be pulled again to spin the top. In this way the top may be spun indefinitely.

In Figs. 5-7 a modified form of the invention has been disclosed which is substantially identical to the prior form distinguishing in the fact that the top I0 i provided with a pin I I having a tapered portion 25 connecting with a bottom small diameter portion 26. The hand piece I2 is formed with a horizontal cut 21 extending through an angular distance of about 300. A vertical cut 28 extends from the horizontal cut 21 down to the bottom of the hand piece. The hand piece I2 is formed with an openin I3 which is of a slightly larger diameter than the reduced end portion 26 of the top I0. This opening I3 has a tapered portion 25 complementary to the tapered portion 25.

In other respects this form of the invention is similar to that previously shown and like reference numerals identify like parts in each of the several views.

The operation of this form of the invention is as follows:

The top I0 is spun first in one direction and then in the other in the same way as previously described in reference to the first form of the invention. However, simultaneously with the spinning of the top portion we may compress and release the resilient side portions of the hand piece I2 defined by the cuts 21 and 28 slightly below the upper end of the tapered portion 25. When this is done the tapered passage 25' will press against the tapered portion 25 causing the pin II to rise on each compression and to fall down when the compression of the hand piece 12' is released. In this way the top 10 may be caused to bob up and down simultaneously with its spinning operation.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

l. A toy top, comprising a dome-shaped head, an axial pin projecting from the bottom of'said head, a cylindrical hand piece for rotatively supporting said head and having an axial opening through which said pin passes, a string for spinning said top passing through an opening in the side of said hand piece and attached to and wound around said pin, and means for causing said head to bob up and down during its spinning operation, including compressible resilient portions on said hand piece, and a tapered portion on said pin engaging a complementary socket portion on said resilient portions.

2. A toy top, comprising a dome-shaped head, an axial pin projecting from the bottom of said head, a cylindrical hand piece for rotatively supporting said head and having an axial opening through which said pin passes, a string for spinning said top passing through an opening in the side of said hand piece and attached to and wound around said pin, and means for causing said head to bob up and down during its spinning operation, including a tapered portion formed on said pin and engaging a complementary socket portion formed on said hand piece, and said hand piece being formed with several cuts defining resilient portions which may be squeezed and released to act against said tapered portion and cause the head to rise and fall while in motion. RALPH P. GORDON. 

